Ely out as candidate for Mass. district’s superintendent

Schenectady schools Superintendent Eric Ely is out of the running for the top spot in the Arlington, Mass., school district, the Boston Globe reported today.

The news surfaced on the same day Schenectady’s board of education prepares to meet behind closed doors to discuss Ely’s future with the district.

Ely is on the hot seat after an e-mail was placed into evidence at the terrorism trial of ex-schools facilities manager Steven Raucci that implies he gave Raucci a “heads up” that he was under criminal investigation.

The Globe story does not explain why the Massachusetts district on Tuesday voted not to appoint Ely, or a candidate from Maine. Instead, they will negotiate a full-time deal with the district’s interim superintendent, who had previously dropped out of the running.

According to evidence presented when a State Police detective took the stand at Raucci’s trial last week, Ely gave Raucci a “heads up” he was the focus of a criminal probe.

Investigator Peter Minahan testified Friday that such a tip would only have hampered the investigation by a task force of law enforcement agencies into Raucci’s alleged violent behavior.

“It was a difficult investigation to begin with, and that would have complicated it even more. He would be looking over his shoulder,” Minahan said, noting the vandalism and bombings under scrutiny were quick hits done in the dark in mostly rural areas.

Earlier Friday, District Attorney Robert Carney projected and read an e-mail from Ely to Raucci from July 28, 2008, which read:
“Just a heads up on these allegations. We need to talk about taking a head on approach pretty soon.”